Relatives demand probe on Priok killings<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Lawyers and relatives of victims of the 1984
\nmilitary shooting in North Jakarta's Tanjung Priok Port area are
\ndemanding a new, thorough investigation into the violence that
\nkilled dozens.<\/p>\n
The group also demanded questioning of former vice president
\nGen. (ret) Try Sutrisno and former defense minister Gen. (ret)
\nL.B. Moerdani, respectively commanders of the Jakarta military
\nand Armed Forces at the time of the incident.<\/p>\n
"If necessary, (former president) Soeharto should also be
\nquestioned concerning the case," said Ahmad Hambali, one of the
\n40 lawyers from several prominent rights groups who banded
\ntogether in the Lawyers Coalition for Priok's Case to push for
\nthe reopening of the investigation. Among the groups are the
\nCommission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras)
\nand the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI).<\/p>\n
In a media conference at the foundation's office, the
\ncoalition said both Try and Moerdani were responsible for the
\norder to shoot at the crowd.<\/p>\n
The military claimed only 18 were killed on Sept. 12, 1984,
\nwhen it opened fire on antigovernment protesters, but relatives
\nand witnesses have said more than 400 people died and their
\nbodies dumped at sea.<\/p>\n
Muslim preachers were accused of inciting the Tanjung Priok
\nresidents after security personnel desecrated a mosque. In the
\nensuing crackdown on Muslim activists, dozens of preachers and
\ntheir students were tried and convicted.<\/p>\n
The government subsequently declared the case closed.<\/p>\n
The group of lawyers said it officially lodged a demand for
\nreopening of the case on Thursday with the military police
\n"because we believe the military was involved in the killing,
\nabductions and violence 15 years ago".<\/p>\n
As a result of the demand, the military police said it would
\nsummon relatives of the victims for questioning on Monday.<\/p>\n
The lawyers also expressed concern that their attempt would be
\nstymied if the bills on state security and on the National
\nCommission on Human Rights, currently under deliberation by the
\nHouse of Representatives (DPR), are endorsed.<\/p>\n
"The two bills are principally antidemocratic and appear to
\njustify the military (security approach)," Ahmad said. He warned
\nthe documents could provide the government with the legal leeway
\nto frustrate efforts to settle past cases of rights violations.
\n(emf)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/relatives-demand-probe-on-priok-killings-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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